This course will outline evidence-based and empirically-based practical approaches to assessing and managing neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with neurocognitive disorders. Neuropsychiatric symptoms reflect cerebral dysfunction across a wide range of cortical and subcortical networks and are a major source of clinical morbidity and caregiver distress. They represent core features of Lewy body dementia (LBD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), and are often clinically significant problems in patient's with Alzheimer's disease and other neurocognitive disorders. This year's course will follow the "What Do I Do Now?" format, including cases that illustrate common management decision points and using ARS to facilitate audience participation. Audience members will be invited to submit challenging cases prior to the course. Faculty will review the spectrum of neuropsychiatric disturbances in neurocognitive disorders with a focus on LBD and FTD, discuss practical clinical assessment techniques based on clinician assessment and informant report, and outline a systematic approach to management including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Completion Message:

Participants should be able to efficiently identify and assess common neuropsychiatric symptoms; develop a systematic approach to formulating a flexible, comprehensive treatment plan; select appropriate pharmacological therapies for specific target symptoms to ensure safety, improve quality of life, and minimize patient and caregiver distress; better understand possible iatrogenicity and minimize risks associated with polypharmacy; and become familiar with behavioral modification techniques and use community resources for caregiver education and support.

Dr. Kaufer has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Abbvie, Grifols. Dr. Kaufer has received research support from Acadia.

Mario F. Mendez, MD, PhD, FAAN

Dr. Mendez has nothing to disclose.

Douglas W. Scharre, MD, FAAN

Dr. Scharre has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with BrainTest. Dr. Scharre has received royalty, license fees, or contractual rights payments from Brainest. Dr. Scharre has received research support from Lilly, Merck, Avanir, Axovant, Biogen, Roche, Neurim, Neurocentria and Novrtis.